Warm spices are amplified by the rich body and high alcohol of this Christmas Ale from Schlafly in St. Louis. The addition of fragrant orange peel is quite apparent, along with an ample serving of clove and cardamom. The orange helps this beer stand out from the cinnamon-and-ginger-scented pack—it's a warming, smooth option, with a bit of a jagged edge where the alcohol comes through.

This cold-weather beer would work nicely with barbecue, especially with a tangy vinegar-based sauce. Or try it with old-school Americanized Chinese food—Orange Beef would be perfect here.